THROOP - These days, the former Engine No. 1 sulks on the other side of the fire station.

For the time being, it will be referred to as Engine No. 2. But by the first of the year, it may not even be occupying its once proud place at the Throop Fire Station.

Now, there is a new, state-of-the-art engine, itching to respond to its first call. Faster, more efficient, and safer, the truck shines with a lime-yellow finish, the stenciled black identification of “Engine No. 1” almost taunting the 29-year-old vehicle it is replacing.

However, little nostalgia exists among the 34 volunteer Throop firefighters who have been training to operate the new, computerized truck.

When it comes to safety and improved ability to respond to the community, there's not a teary eye in the house about replacing the outdated engine.

“It's the most modern on the market, meets all federal requirements regarding lighting, pump size, and safety to firemen. It's the most fire fighting-friendly unit they build,” said Frank Morgenthaler, chairman of the Throop fire district. Both he and Throop fire chief Frank Dahl visited the Pennsylvania factory where the truck was built. They have every specification memorized.

“This is the brain of the truck,” Morgenthaler said, opening a side panel to reveal a computer board. Therein lay controls for the 12 floodlights, including two telescoping banks of high intensity bulbs mounted on top, that can be rotated to any position, either at the panel, or by remote control. That compares to the single floodlight, which must be manipulated manually, on the old truck.“

In addition, there are high intensity lights under the truck, for ease in seeing around the proximity of the vehicle. Hand-held floods are also accessible on the truck.

The new truck can pump 1,500 pounds of water per minute.

Knocking on a wooden tabletop, Dahl said the volunteer department has historically had a good safety record. Nevertheless, the new engine has many failsafe features.

Unlike the old, there is a hose restrainer, securing the coiled water hose stored on the side of the truck.

It is a federal regulation, said Morgenthaler. Last year, he noted, a fatality occurred in Ohio, when a hose flung out as a truck was turning at a high rate of speed.

Not only do side and rear-mounted cameras assist the driver of the new engine via a fold-down screen above the windshield, but a sound system allows communication with rear-riding firefighters. And, unlike the old vehicle, all seven passengers, plus the driver, are protected within the enclosed truck cab.

A minimum occupancy of four is required to operate the vehicle, but all seven seats, excluding the driver - who remains at the truck when on the scene of an event - are SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) equipped.

Of course, the new truck was expensive. Without the diligence of the fire chief, along with the chairman, and the help of district treasurer Ben Vitale, the 35 volunteer firefighters and the community, it may never have been acquired.

“It's extremely tough to get a FEMA grant. You have to meet a lot of needs the federal government is looking for. We met a lot of the needs with that old truck,” said Dahl, who submitted the application for the grant Feb. 7, 2005. It was approved six months later.

The $285,000 grant was supplemented with $34,000 in donations raised by firefighters, with the remaining balance for the $515,000 truck obtained by contracting a 10-year lease from a bonding company.

“That's the up and coming way of doing it. More and more departments are leasing,” said Vitale. “Good record keeping and training played a big part in this.”

Regarding the future of the previous Engine No. 1, that will be decided after training on the new is finished, said Morgenthaler. Whether to keep or sell it, will probably be decided by the first of the year.

“Old fire engines are plentiful, because the upkeep is plentiful. A lot go to overseas, to Third World countries. That's a Cadillac to us,” Morgenthaler said.